There are so many ways nurses can contribute to the well being of a client in need. For example, recently an Iraqi refugee family came to my attention through a series of events. This family suffers from an genetic disease that calls for long term chronic interventions through the hospital. They had challenges emotionally and socially and any other way you could imagine. What could a nurse do? First of all nurses who understand Case Management are badly needed in cases like these. Most hospitals employ case managers, but when they don't, the community is the only resource left. Right now our economy is stretched beyong capacity and social services agencies and charitable agencies are fighting to meet the needs of people. Clients with the additional burden of illness are even harder to manage. Nurses can help by assisting in educating clients about their medications and regimens. On being compliant with appointments and treatments. Nurses can research unique and creative resources to help with balance and diet and assimilation.
The Muslim Nurses Association has reached out in its limited financial capacity to assist this family and to find other types of zakat for them. In the meantime there is a group of committed individuals providing ongoing volunteer care. We need translators, and drivers, and medically trained people to help with teaching. If you want to experience doing something that really counts, volunteer to help people who really are on the margins of our society.
If you wish to volunteer as a nurse to help needy families who have health challenges please contact the Muslim Nurses Association. We need nurses who can speak various languages; Arabic, Amharic, Farsi.
JAK
